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presseth me sore. There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. I am feeble and sore broken; I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee. My heart panteth, my strength faileth me as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me. Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me, for I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged, O bring thou me out of my distresses. Look upon mine affliction and my pain, and forgive all my sins. Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me in the day when I call answer me speedily. For my days are consumed like smoke; my heart is smitten and withered like grass. For thou hast lifted me up and cast me down. He weakeneth my strength in the way: he shorteneth my days. I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my day; forsake me not

when my strength faileth. Therefore in thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. Amen.

27.

THE CLOSING DAYS OF J. JANEWAY.

F. A. COX.

AFTER he had somewhat recovered from severe indisposition, he was much in earnest in the discharge of every duty, especially prayer and meditation. "His time," says his brother, "for that was usually in the evening, when he walked into the fields, if the weather would permit, if not, he returned into the church, or any empty, solitary room; where (observing his constant practice, that, if possible, I might be acquainted with the reason of his retiredness) I once hid myself, that I might take the more correct notice of the intercourse which I judged was kept up between him and God. But oh! what a spectacle did I see! Surely a man walking with God, conversing intimately with his Maker, and maintaining a holy familiarity with the great Jehovah. Methought I saw a spiritual merchant in a heavenly exchange driving a rich trade for the treasures of another world. Oh, what a glorious sight it was! Methinks I see him still. How sweetly did his face shine! Oh, with what a lovely countenance did he walk up and down; his lips going, his body oft reaching up, as

if he would have taken his flight into heaven. His looks, smiles, and every motion spake him to be upon the very confines of glory. Oh, had one but known what he was then feeding on! Sure he had meat to eat which the world knew not of. Did we but know how welcome God made him when he brought him into his banquetting house! That which one might easily perceive his heart to be most fixed upon, was the infinite love of God in Christ to the poor sons and daughters of Adam."

When ministers or Christians came to visit him, he would beg them to spend all the time they had with him in praise, it seemed to be his sweet employ; as he neared the gates of the New Jerusalem, he caught the notes that angels sing, and began the hallelujahs before he entered the pearly gates.

May this holy example be a stimulus to us to follow those who, through faith and patience, are now inheriting the promises.

COME let us join our friends above,

Who have obtained the prize,
And on the eagle wings of love,

To joys celestial rise.

Let saints below in concert sing
With those to glory gone,
For all the servants of our King
In heaven and earth are one.

One family we dwell in him,
One church above, beneath,
Though now divided by the stream,
The narrow stream of death.

One army of the living God,

To his command we bow;

Part of the host have crossed the flood,
And part are crossing now.

Ev'n now to their eternal home,
Some happy spirits fly;
And we are to the margin come,
And soon expect to die.

Oh, Jesus, be our constant guide;
Then when the word is given,
Bid Jordan's narrow stream divide,
And land us safe in heaven.

O ALMIGHTY GOD, and merciful Father, to whom alone belong the issues of life and death. Look down from heaven, we humbly beseech thee, with the eyes of mercy upon this thy servant now lying upon the bed of sickness visit him, O Lord, with thy salvation; deliver him in thy good appointed time from his bodily pain, and save his soul for thy mercies' sake: That, if it shall be thy pleasure to prolong his days here on earth, he may live to thee, and be an instrument of thy glory, by serving thee faithfully, and doing good in his generation; or else receive him into those heavenly habitations, where the souls of them that

and felicity.

sleep in the Lord Jesus enjoy perpetual rest Grant this, O Lord, for thy mercies' sake, in the name of thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

28.

COMFORT FROM AFFLICTION.

BAXTER.

AFFLICTIONS are also God's most effectual means to keep us from losing our way to our rest. Without this hedge of thorns on the right hand and on the left, we should hardly keep the way to heaven. If there be but one gap open, how ready are we to find it, and turn out at it! When we grow wanton, or worldly, or proud, how doth sickness, or other affliction, reduce us! Every Christian, as well as Luther, may call affliction one of his best schoolmasters, and with David may cry, "Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept thy word." Many thousand recovered sinners may cry, "Oh healthful sickness! oh comfortable sorrows! oh gainful losses! oh enriching poverty! oh blessed day, that ever I was afflicted!" Not only the green pastures and still waters, but the rod and staff, they comfort us. Though the word and Spirit do the main work, yet suffering so unbolts the door of our heart, that the word hath easier entrance.

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